Imagine my surprise. I have never seen this, even in the hundreds of interviews I've done in my career. When my latest podcast guest - Andy Mowat - mentioned it, It was like ice water in the face. Wake up! This is a winning approach! Most people go into an interview in “answering” mode. They let the interviewer drive the conversation, and they provide answers. This is, by definition, responsive. Everyone knows that good leaders are proactive. The mindset shift that Andy shared is to take that...
10 days ago • 1 min read
Two things stand in the way of your leadership growth. Knowing clearly what you want Knowing how to achieve it Let’s assume you already have clear goals (if not, reach out for a complimentary clarity session). The problem is… Most people pursue the wrong approach to achieve their goals. Working harder, learning a new skill, changing jobs… these are familiar and alluring pathways. But what got you here won’t get you there. To reach a new level of success, you have to do something different....
17 days ago • 1 min read
Would you rather be smart all the time, or avoid being stupid? This thought arose when thinking about investing. You can do just as well — or better — by avoiding times when the stock market falls Compared to matching or beating the market when it rises. The less your investments drop in value, the less you have to make up when the market rises. The same concept applies to decision-making. If you avoid making bad decisions, your good decisions don’t have to be quite as good. I’m not...
24 days ago • 1 min read
I did it. Gulp. I had a political discussion with a friend with opposing views. Spoiler alert. We’re still friends. But it was a difficult conversation. For a moment I understood people who break off relationships due to political difference. But I believe in the value of disagreement, so we found our way though it. It reminded me of how important conflict management is. Conflict is part of work. (If it’s not, there’s a bigger problem!) You must be good at navigating conflict to be successful...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
I visited Portugal last week - my first time there. The country is dotted with exquisite cathedrals, monasteries, and castles in nearly every city. They are a testament to the riches brought back from their global explorations at sea. As I was visiting one of the oldest universities in the world, established in 1290 in Coimbra, I saw first hand, They celebrated knowledge. The library was adorned with ornately carved, golden sheathed bookshelves, rich mahogany, 7-foot thick walls to manage the...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Specific behaviors can increase your confidence and credibility. —Cara Hale Alter My client smiles too much. He’s friendly, positive, optimistic, smart, and solution-oriented. But others don’t take him seriously. He undermines sales conversations when he participates. His team doesn’t deliver as much when he manages them. Some employees have even taken advantage of him. I don’t suggest to anyone to change who they are. But I do suggest to expand their behavioral range. You need to have a wide...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Executive presence is about your ability to inspire confidence. —Gerry Valentine Ross wants more strategic impact and visibility. He is a technical expert, leading a small team, delivering consistently excellent results. But his boss does all of the strategic work, leaving him out. He takes calls at 7pm, weekends, during dinner… When work calls, he answers. But he wants more impact. He knows he can do more, but he isn’t getting the opportunity. Have you ever been like Ross? Where you know you...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read